He’s not firing basketball coach Bill Grier following the Toreros’ 6-24 season that included no back-to-back wins and only four against Division I teams.

“We put a long-term plan in place,” Snyder says, “and while we didn’t want to have a season like this, in the long term I’m feeling good about our program … I like the direction. We’re going to get things turned around.”

There are essentially two ways to look at this: The Toreros have practically everyone back next season, and the Toreros have practically everyone back.

They return the bulk of a roster – losing only senior guards Devin Ginty and Matt Dorr – that barely shot 40 percent in the West Coast Conference, that was outrebounded by seven per game, that blew a 20-point lead to Santa Clara in the second half, that scored a program-low 31 points against Gonzaga in the regular-season finale.

And they return the bulk of a roster that upset then-No. 23 Saint Mary’s, that led several other quality opponents in the second half, that had 10 freshmen and sophomores among its 13 scholarship players, that showed an admirable level of resiliency and fight in the face of a dreadful season.

“Our administration has been incredibly supportive of our staff and our players,” Grier said. “I get the profession and I understand exterior pressure. I’m not naïve. I know we have to do a better job. I know it’s a very important year for our program and for our staff.

“I’m confident it’s going to change. As difficult as this year was, I did see some growth.”

Here are four areas to watch:

Newcomers

Those three big guys you saw sitting at the end of the bench are all freshmen and all eligible next season, and all could have an immediate impact.

Simi Fajemisin, a 6-foot-9, 265-pound post, sat out to retool his body, losing 15 pounds and replacing it with lean muscle. John Sinis, a 6-8 forward from Greece, arrived at the semester break and brings the dimension of perimeter shooting at the 4 position. And Ben Vozzola, a rangy 6-5 wing, provides instant offense.

USD also got Torrey Pines High guard Nick Kerr in the fall signing period and reportedly has received an oral commitment from Chris Anderson, a speedy 5-9 guard from Canyon High in Anaheim and the younger brother of UCLA guard Jerime Anderson.

“Gabe”

Center Chris Gabriel, a 6-11 transfer from New Mexico State, showed flashes of dominance despite being out of shape after an offseason heart procedure precluded physical activity for four months. A taste of what he’s capable of: 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting against Loyola Marymount – in the second half.

Now he gets a full offseason to shed weight. He ballooned as high as 320 last fall. The target is the low 260s.

“He’ll work hard when the coaches are there and telling him what to do,” Grier says. “But will he do it in July? That’s the big question.”